Posted on 11/06/2005 7:32:30 AM PST by echoBoomer
ANYONE who supposes that evolution doesn't happen, or doesn't matter, should spare a thought for H5N1, the virus causing avian flu. If we're unlucky, this virus will give us a nasty demonstration of evolution in action...At the moment, the virus cannot pass easily from one person to another. But there are a couple of ways it could evolve to do so.
The virus might infect someone already sick with a strain of human flu, and the two viruses could have sex, thus creating a new virus that contains some genes from each. Such viral hanky-panky is thought to have led to the flu pandemics of 1957 and 1968. Or the virus could mutate - acquire accidental changes to its genetic material - in such a way that it becomes able to travel between people. Mutations to an avian flu virus are thought to lie behind the 1918 pandemic...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
You, as expected, completely ignored my question. Why would religious people, critics of Dearwinian evolution, accept common descent if the evidence weren't overwhelming to people who have examined it?
two viruses could have sex
and grasshoppers could build airplanes.
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Nah, they're too lazy. :)
Bingo! These guys selling their "creation science" books (and making a killing, btw) are hurting the Church much more than any biology professor ever will.
Hard to believe there's so many Freepers who wish to display their ignorance and mendacity so publically.
Hmm, it's just terrible the people who sell books containing the theory of evolution don't make any money. Gosh that's sad. I had never realized that.
How is it just to punish individuals who did not commit the original sin. Particularly animals that have no way of understanding sin, or infants and the unborn?
?
I'm just curious how you respond to the fact that even critics of evolution, even religiously grounded critics, accept common descent when they examine the evidence.
You can boast about anything if it's all you have. Maybe the less you have, the more you are required to boast.John Steinbeck, East of Eden
From a religious standpoint, the introduction of sin into this world set up a conflict of the ages. Man was given free will to choose his own destiny. Sin would ultimately get a chance to play out here.
If God stepped in to stop the effects of sin, would sin get a fair shake? If God stepped in to erradicate sin before it's final results were revealed, would subjects across the universe follow God through love or fear?
This to me, is the central concept of God and man (this earth if you wil) as it applies to sin.
Christians have different theories about what God will do for animals in the long run. I would hope that He would restore all animals to their pre-sin nature when all has been played out.
Children, animals, exemplory human beings and the calamities that befall them have always been a tough test of faith. Christians that have faith, have something which will help to see them through the tough times.
Such a person might be able to manufacture a vaccine, but I wouldn't take his word that it had been honestly and competently tested.
I followed up the links which you claimed would provide plenty of information on "missing links" and the websites somewhat disappointing. The place of Archaeopteryx in the fossil record is still controversial and not settled, and speculation about changes in the shape of molars do not constitute a jump from one species to another, in my opinion.
Paleontologists have a huge problem with credibility. A businessman who made claims with the same amount of speculation and guesswork would be indicted for fraud.
I believe I provided a basis for that dynamic in post 34.
Let's not forget that prominant leaders of relious groups also advocate pro choice stances and the surrenders of modern civilization to terrorist organizations and communist or dictator ruled states.
Being a religious leader does not shield someone from exhibiting flawed logic.
There are no natural effects of sin that would explain why parasites and diseases exist, or why animals switched from vegetarianism to being carnivorous (but only some). So if these changes occurred as a result of one rather minor sin -- the equivalent of a child peeking at a present before Christmas -- it is a deliberate and calculation action. How is it just to inflict everlasting torment on individuals who did not participate in the original sin?
I just wanted to say that I couldn't agree more. Nice to see someone else who gets it.
I doubt he/she would be working alone. And it would still need FDA approval I think. So I wouldn't worry too much.
Well, if you are correct in your belief that God is responsible for all evil, you may have a point. If however God is only responsible for good and Satan is responsible for evil, then the choice to follow an evil leader will have unseen consequences. Can I tell you what each of those consequences was or will be? No I can't. I do operate on the theory that at some point in time that and many other answers will be forthcoming.
"and the two viruses could have sex,"
No. Please, shut the hell up and let someone who knows what they are talking about explain it.
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